OpenAI Reactivates 4o the Model Picker for Paid Users
- OpenAI has reactivated the Model Picker for paid users, allowing them to select from various AI models, including Auto, Fast, and Thinking settings.
- The new settings contradict OpenAI’s initial statement that GPT-5 would offer a “one size fits all” experience, providing more control for users.
- Paid users can now access 40 (GPT-4o) and other AI models through the Model Picker, with some models available only to Pro users due to high GPU costs.
- The reactivation of GPT-4o has sparked a backlash among users who had grown attached to the AI models’ responses and personalities, but OpenAI promises to give users advance notice if it deprecates any model in the future.
- OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman announced the changes on X, stating that the company will provide plenty of notice before deprecating any model, including GPT-4o.
IBL News | New York
OpenAI introduced new “Auto,” “Fast,” and “Thinking” settings for GPT-5 this week, contradicting its statement that would simplify the promise of “one size fits all” experience, with a sole AI model.
Now ChatGPT users can select from the model picker. The Auto setting works like GPT-5’s model router that OpenAI initially announced. However, the company is also giving users options to circumnavigate it, allowing them to access fast and slow responding AI models directly.
Sam Altman, CEO at OpenAI, made the announcement on a post on X on Tuesday.
Updates to ChatGPT:
You can now choose between “Auto”, “Fast”, and “Thinking” for GPT-5. Most users will want Auto, but the additional control will be useful for some people.
Rate limits are now 3,000 messages/week with GPT-5 Thinking, and then extra capacity on GPT-5 Thinking…
— Sam Altman (@sama) August 13, 2025
Alongside GPT-5’s new modes, 4o is back in the model picker for all paid users by default.
These paid users also now have a “Show additional models” toggle in ChatGPT web settings, which will add models like o3, 4.1, and GPT-5 Thinking mini.
4.5 is only available to Pro users, as it costs a lot of GPUs.
The deprecation of GPT-4o and other AI models in ChatGPT sparked a backlash among users who had grown attached to the AI models’ responses and personalities in ways that OpenAI had not anticipated.
In the future, Altman says the company will give users plenty of advance notice if it ever deprecates GPT-4o. “If we ever do deprecate it, we will give plenty of notice.”